Category: IAM RoadSmart

1. Time for action on older drivers‏

   Posted on 10:26am Friday 28th Mar 2014

   The IAM is calling on the government to introduce a national strategy of driving health checks and better information for elderly drivers and their families.

   The call comes after a poll showing that forty-two per cent of the population are worried about an elderly relative driving, yet they are unlikely to do anything about it.

   The IAM and Vision Critical poll of 1297 people shows that while concern about elderly drivers is evident, acting on our concerns is another issue. Fifty-eight per cent of those concerned did nothing about it.1

   When we do talk to our relatives about their driving it does not always go down well. Of those that had done this, nearly half of respondents (47 per cent) were met with negative reaction.

   IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “Talking to an elderly relative about their driving is a difficult conversation to have. Driving is associated with independence, so giving up the car keys can be a very stressful process. This is especially true for drivers with dementia as they often underestimate the impact of the condition on their driving skills.

   “Voluntary online and on road driving assessments will provide an unbiased view and help everyone make the right decision at the right time. We are finding while there are some elderly drivers who should not be on the road, most get it right and as many as 15% give up too early.2

   “But with ever increasing numbers of elderly drivers, this is a growing mobility and road safety issue that won’t go away. The government needs to act now.”

   The IAM wants:
   •A government action plan for older drivers
   •Widespread availability of voluntary on road driving assessments
   •More car manufacturers considering older drivers in vehicle design
   •Better information and online assessment tools for older drivers, their families and health professionals
   •Road designs that make it easier for older drivers to keep driving

   There are now more than four million drivers over 70 years old, a figure that is set to increase to 5.8 million in 2032.

2. One in ten crashes caused by distractions

   Posted on 9:00am Tuesday 4th Mar 2014

   The IAM is warning drivers about the dangers of distracted driving after research found that nearly one in ten (9%) of drivers admit to crashing their cars because they were distracted. Just under one in twenty drivers (4 per cent) say that someone was injured in the crash.

   The IAM/Vision Critical survey, which polled nearly 1500 regular UK drivers aged 18 years and over, also found that of the 500 divers who admitted to having a near miss, almost one in five (18 per cent) then went on have a crash.

   The most common distractions are:
   •Children in the car (29%)
   •Changing the radio channel (27%)
   •Back seat drivers (26%)
   •Mobile phone use (24%)
   •Sat nav (15%)
   •Attractive pedestrians, drivers or passengers (14%)

   Our most crash-prone drivers come from London and the South East, where 14 per cent of drivers admitted to distraction crashes. The lowest crash rates are in Wales (3%), Yorkshire and Humber (4%) and South West England (5%),

   Men are nearly twice as likely to crash because of a distraction than women (11% and 6%).

   IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “If you think you can multitask and drive then think again. Using mobile phones and other distractions were a factor in more than one hundred deaths on our roads last year, every one of them avoidable.”

   www.iam.org.uk

   

3. Riding with pillions

   Posted on 9:17am Saturday 1st Mar 2014

   IAM’s head of riding standards, Peter Rodger, is advising on riding with pillions.
   
   •Before carrying a pillion, adjust your tyre pressure and suspension.
   •Make sure that your passenger has a suitable helmet and clothing.
   •Arrange a signal so that they can tell you if they’re uncomfortable.
   •If they haven’t ridden on the back of a motorcycle before, it is a good idea to give them advice of what they could expect and what you expect from them.
   •Carrying a pillion will affect your acceleration, balance and braking. Allow extra time in judging gaps and overtaking.
   •The extra weight on the bike will affect the speed and way it manoeuvres.

   Rodger said: “Riding with a passenger takes getting used to. Take precautions and remember your passenger is your responsibility.”

   www.iam.org.uk

    

4. What takes our eyes off the road?

   Posted on 8:11am Wednesday 26th Feb 2014

   Children in the car are the number one distraction for drivers, according to the latest survey of 1500 drivers by IAM and Vision Critical. Twenty-nine per cent of drivers admit that their children are their biggest distraction while driving.

   Busy lifestyles and a constant need to multitask also feature heavily with mobile phone use (24 per cent). and texting and social media updates (10 per cent) also featuring. Twenty-three per cent of young drivers (aged 18-24) find this a distraction.

   Other top distractions include:
   •Changing the radio channel (27%)
   •Back seat drivers (26%)
   •Sat nav (15%)
   •Attractive pedestrians, drivers or passengers (14%)

   Nearly a quarter of men (23 per cent) admit to being distracted by attractive people compared to three per cent of women,

   Distractions are a major cause of crashes. In the same survey, nine per cent of drivers admit that they have crashed because they were distracted. According to police statistics, mobile phone use and other distractions were a factor in up to one hundred and five deaths on our roads last year.

   IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “People who think they can multi-task while driving are kidding themselves. If you take your eyes of the road for just two seconds at 30 miles per hour, you’ll travel close to 90 feet, effectively blind.

   All drivers develop bad habits over time. The key to reducing distractions and their impact is to learn to look upon your driving as a skill that needs continuous evaluation and improvement.”

   Children top the list of distractions. Follow this advice to keep them occupied:

   IAM’s top tips for distracting kids:
   
   •Keep them occupied by introducing games that promote and reward quiet behaviour without needing the driver’s direct involvement.
   •Portable games consoles or in-car DVD players will keep kids occupied for hours. But don’t forget the headphones – the soundtracks can be just as distracting as the children.
   •If you are planning a long journey, make sure you’re organised – take plenty of food and drink to avoid constant demands from the back seats.
   •Allow extra stops. Find somewhere for them to stretch their legs and let off steam, such as a playground or a park. Save yourself the panic and research some local parks and playgrounds where you plan to stop off.
   •Have a plastic bag (without any holes!) with you in case of travel sickness.
   •A second adult in the car to look after the children makes a massive difference, leaving the driver to concentrate on driving.
   •Don’t turn round to deal with fighting kids while you’re still in motion – find somewhere safe to stop first.

   www.iam.org.uk

5. One in ten drivers admit to autopilot‏

   Posted on 8:30am Friday 21st Feb 2014

   The IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) is urging motorists to beware of the perils of driving on autopilot following research which shows that one in ten drivers are often unable to remember their entire car journey.

   The poll of almost 1500 drivers, carried out by Vision Critical on behalf of the IAM, also revealed that fifty-four per cent of drivers admitted to missing a turning because they were distracted. A further 14 per cent of drivers are quite often unable to recall any part of their journey in the car.

   Younger drivers (18-25 year olds) are the most likely to be in danger of distraction. Thirty-five per cent stating they couldn’t recall any part of their journey, often or quite often. In comparison only five per cent of older drivers (65+) admitted to not remembering their journey.

   Driving on autopilot appears to differ by region too. Twenty-two per cent of Londoners are less likely to recall any part of their journey, compared to only 11 per cent of Scottish drivers, and 10 per cent of drivers in the South West.

   The survey also found that this behaviour had a significant impact on performance:
   •Fifty-four per cent of drivers admitted to missing turnings because of it.

   IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “It’s all too easy to get behind the wheel and zone out completely. Being distracted enough that you miss a turning is a sign that driving is a task that has fallen too low in your brain’s priorities. While we all have other concerns and stresses in our lives which can take precedence in our minds, the act of driving should remain your biggest priority when behind the wheel.”

   “The fact is it takes too long to react appropriately if you are not concentrating on driving. Being distracted can have serious consequences, it could mean that you’re less likely to see that cyclist or child running out until it’s too late.”

   The IAM offers the following advice to keep you alert on the roads:

   · Keep your eyes moving

   · Make concentrating on the road ahead your main priority

   · Roll down the windows for some fresh air

   For longer trips:
   
   •Plan your journey to include a stop at least once every two hours.
   •If you feel drowsy, stop at the next service area and stretch your legs
   •For longer journeys, where possible, share the driving with another driver
   •Make sure you drink enough fluids.

   iam.org.uk